10 Best Brunch Spots in Oakland: Eggs, Bacon, Mimosas Oh My!

Now that restaurants are open for indoor seating as well as patio dining, brunch in Oakland is back to being a BIG deal. All across Oaktown on Saturdays and Sundays, you see lines flowing out the doors of cafes like Aunt Mary’s and Brown Sugar Kitchen.

The East Bay’s famous foodie culture wakes up bright and early on weekends, serving up everything from pork belly hash to buttermilk chicken and waffles.

Bottomless mimosas? Check. Eggs benedict and thick, smokey bacon? Check. Wasabi bloody Mary? Of course!

We’ve rounded up Oakland’s top brunch spots and found something for everyone – whether you are looking for a cozy cafe for a lazy morning, a special restaurant for a family celebration, or a greasy breakfast hangover cure to launch your Sunday Funday with friends.

Best Brunch in Oakland:

1. Brown Sugar Kitchen

Chef Tanya Holland’s take on soul food will knock your socks off. Her buttermilk fried chicken and cornmeal waffles, served with brown sugar butter and apple cider syrup, draw brunch-seekers from all over the Bay Area. 2295 Broadway, Oakland

2. Mama’s Royal Café

For a casual retro diner vibe, head to Mama’s Royal Café in Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood. The coffee shop is under new ownership after the longtime owner retired, but little else has changed. The full menu is long, like the weekend lines. Head there early to avoid the crowds. 4012 Broadway, Oakland

3. Brenda’s

You’ll find Brenda’s “new New Orleans” kitchen in the heart of Oakland’s vibrant Temescal neighborhood. Eggs Benedict with Creole hollandaise, shrimp ‘n’ grits with spicy tomato-bacon gravy, fried chicken, hot beignets for dessert – yes, please! Brenda’s is open only for take-out on certain weekdays. Call ahead about dining in and to make reservations (highly recommended). 4045 Broadway @ 41st, Oakland

4. Aunt Mary’s Café

We love Aunt Mary’s comfort food and creative specials like “Southern Bubble and Squeak” with potato-southern greens cakes, eggs, and “pot-likker” gravy. It’s worth the wait for seating on the back patio. 4640 Telegraph Ave., Oakland

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5. Beauty’s Bagel Shop

This one is a bit of a cheat because they don’t actually serve “brunch.”  They do, however, serve incredible kettle-boiled bagels and coffee all day at their Temescal location. Order for delivery and host your own bagel brunch at home. Don’t forget the smoked salmon cream cheese spread!  3838 Telegraph Ave., Oakland

6. Chop Bar

In true Chop Bar fashion, the chef here takes brunch and steps it up a notch. Located in Oakland’s Jack London Square neighborhood, the restaurant serves basic and special dishes like chili-marinated flank steak and eggs. You can make reservations online. 190 4th St., Oakland

7. Portal

Bottomless mimosas! Views of Lake Merritt! What more do you want? Note that the brunch menu isn’t particularly pancake/waffle/kid-friendly. But diners rave about the challah French toast stuffed with caramelized fruit and ricotta, as well as the stromboli-like “garbage bread.” Portal doesn’t take reservations, so plan ahead. 1611 2nd Ave., Oakland

8. Lakeshore Café

Lakeshore Café serves delicious and classic brunch dishes. When it’s open to in-person diners, sitting outside is especially fun during the Saturday farmer’s market – prime people-watching time. 3257 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland

9. Sister

One of our all-time favs, Boot and Shoe Service, closed and reopened as Sister, which does a fresh, healthy take on brunch. It really doesn’t get any more California than these past menu items: savory porridge with braised greens, soft cooked egg and sunflower seed furikake; buckwheat waffles with kombucha creme fraiche; and fritatta with pickles and aioli. 3308 Grand Ave., Oakland

10. Caffe 817

Located in historic old town, Caffe 817 is a low-key Oakland brunch spot with an artsy European café vibe. You’ll always find the walls vibrantly decorated with pieces by local artists. Yelpers rave about the coffee, avocado toast, and polenta with poached egg. Homemade jam and granola are for sale to take home or gift.  817 Washington St., Oakland

Did we miss your favorite Oakland brunch spot? Shoot us an email at hello@abioproperties.com and we’ll add it to a list of readers’ favorites.

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After you fuel up with a big weekend brunch, why not tour some homes for sale? Contact Abio Properties and we’ll show you what’s on the market in Oakland. 888.400.ABIO (2246) or hello@abioproperties.com.